Posted by Nancy D. Brown

If you like bargains and you've been thinking about getting away to California's Mendocino coast, have I got a good deal for you. Mendocino's MacCallum House Inn is offering guests 50 percent off on stays from November 1 - February, 2009, but you need to book your room online before November 7, 2008. Here's the review I wrote on the Uptake lodging site.

Forget waiting for the government’s bailout package to appear, Mendocino, California’s MacCallum House Inn is the place to turn for financial relief. From October 30 until February 1, 2009, guests of the MacCallum House will receive 50 percent off their reservations for a two night minimum stay. If that’s not enough to get you heading to the Mendocino coast, the MacCallum House will have a bottle of local wine waiting for you in the room. All good deals must come to a close. The MacCallum House bailout will expire on November 7, 2008 and reservations must be made online.

Horseback Riding in Mendocino County

I visited the MacCallum house in August for a little me time. Both of my children were at camp and my husband couldn’t get away from work. I was giddy with anticipation for this trip. Upon my arrival I noticed several women dressed in riding boots and pants. My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the ladies if they had been horseback riding earlier. Turns out, the MacCallum House offers a riding package with Ricochet Ridge Ranch, two miles north of Fort Bragg. The quality of the horses and the scenery are both outstanding.

Lodging Options

Gwen MacCallum Room 1

The Gwen MacCallum room was located on the second floor of the Main House. Considered to be one of the most romantic rooms in the house, the solid mahogany queen sleigh bed with its down comforter suited me perfectly. What captured my eye when I entered the room was the claw foot bathtub. Imagine a bubble bath with no interruptions? Pure heaven.

In addition to six rooms in the main house and seven cottages on the property, there are six rooms in the adjacent Barn. All but the rooms in the main house are pet friendly.

Food, glorious, food

That evening I dined at the MacCallum House Restaurant. I was seated to the right of the fireplace and enjoyed a lovely Comanche Creek Heirloom tomato “BLT” salad with house made mozzarella, applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce, Stella Cadente olive oil and balsamic drizzled over herbed croutons. Next up, pan roasted halibut in a tomato beuree blanc sauce with roasted fingerling potatoes and a broccoli puree. I finished the meal with a raspberry mascarpone cheesecake souffle with a mini pot of chocolate sauce served on the side. Don’t forget, breakfast is included with your stay. Weight Watchers, here I come.

Room rates: $175-$425

Reservations (800) 609-0492

Winter on Mendocino's Northern California coast is a bargain. The summer crowds have thinned and soon the whales will return. Check out the MacCallum House Inn's website for additional online offers. If you have a lodging bargain to share, leave a comment below. I would love to hear where you enjoy visiting in the off season.